Community Reviews

As someone familiar with international development, I was immediately impressed with the work that Children's Future does in Cambodia. Children's Future has a modest budget, provides holistic services to children most in need, and continuously finds ways to bring innovation to programming.

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I've been a Board Member for several years and have been consistently impressed by how much is being achieved with little funding. The organization has done a great job of evolving to providing numerous services, serving the entire child, while maintaining a focus on education and breaking the cycle of poverty.

For many of the poorest of the poor, CFI has a created a safe oasis for children who finally have a chance to grow and fully develop, as all children should.

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I have been on the board of this charity for three years and watched it grow and develop into an amazing organization. CFI helps hundreds of children in Cambodia who are too poor to attend traditional school. CFI truly fills a niche and provides forgotten children with a chance. I have sponsored 2 children for years and would recommend CFI to anyone who really wants to make a difference. The are breaking the cycle of poverty by teaching these kids english and computer skills to help them get good, sustainable jobs so they can help themselves out of poverty and become leaders in their community. There's no religious affiliation and i can personally vouch for the founders' dedication and motivation - i have been personal friends with one of the the founders for almost 15 years and have watched him build CFI and dedicate his life to it.

As a teacher trainer I have seen many schools and communities worldwide. I am in awe to see how within a relatively short period of time CFI has put so much in place that really serves children, young people and families that need it most. A flexible, differentiating and intelligent combination of services addresses the basic needs and rights of each child and family cooperating with the Center, while creating a foundation for a way out of the dire conditions they were born into.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Putting children first is what CFI is about. While traveling around Southeast Asia, Andrew & Jenny fell in love with the children in a small village & spent the next several years dedicating their own lives to saving them - in terms of their physical health, their emotional health & their intellect/achievement. They created a safe, warm, nurturing, caring & stimulating environment for these kids to survive & to thrive. Kudos to Andrew & Jenny for all that they have done & hopefully, with enough people giving them financial support, will be able to continue to do.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I spent time at CFI 2 years ago and was amazed how Andrew and Jenny have created this space where 200 at-risk children have a chance to be children...to go to school, to play, to be exposed to music and dance and computers, to be respected. Some children had just learned how to play chess when I visited and beat me repeatedly. A soccer field had been cleared and it was quite a sight to see these barefoot children playing together as a team. These children have so many hardships to deal with but can find a safe and nurturing place at the center with a wonderful group of hardworking and passionate volunteers who really care.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I’ve been working with Children’s Future International both, on the ground in Cambodia with the children and staff as well as for the Board, supporting CFI also on more strategic matters on several occasions. We have learned CFI to be an organization that is based on strong values and respect for the child. In only a few years since it was founded, CFI has also tackled important strategic, ethical and governance issues and has built a solid foundation on which its activities can develop. We were so obviously convinced about the quality of work done in Cambodia but also about the clearly focused mindset and the positive spirit emanating from all people involved. That convinced us to give an extra effort by founding a local organization in Switzerland last year, which is aimed at supporting CFI in all their endeavors.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Denny and I met cofounders Jenny and Andrew in Battambang 5 years ago. We were very impressed with their thoughtful efforts to help the children in Cambodia. We followed their progress on their website and after two years were able to spend a month volunteering with them. We were amazed at their progress in such a little time and with support of only a few donors. Since then we have been back each January to support their efforts. CFI is a wonderful place where the children's welfare comes first. Jenny and Andrew have dedicated themselves to helping the poorest children in Cambodia. We have learned so much from them both. We now work at home volunteering with their sponsorship and fundraising efforts when we can. Denny also has been invited to serve on their Board of Directors. if you are looking for a good ethical place to support, where your efforts and funds go to the children first, this is the place to go. CFI rocks! Denny and Linda

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

What a wonderful organization CFI is! I have been supporting a child for over a year and was able to volunteer at the Center in Battambang last January. It is so uplifting to see the difference being made, through this non-profit, in hundreds of Cambodian lives--students, staff and families! It is incredible to see the progress made in four short years--a dedicated staff, competent leadership, eager students, an adequate facility, all contribute to the community by serving the whole child in so many ways.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I discovered Children's Future International through a friend in Battambang, Cambodia, and was immediately impressed by the organization's heart for children in need. At CFI everyone is really dedicated to the whole child, and dealing with whatever situations come up. They have a very child-centered approach and really listen to the needs of the community and families they serve. In that way I know that all of their resources are going to the children in the district that are the most at risk and those resources are used to make the biggest impact. I began volunteering in small ways, and then started teaching English and Computer classes. Now my wife and I have been volunteering at CFI full-time for a year, and feel that this is the best possible place we could be in order to empower Cambodian youth and protect the most at-risk children in the region.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I am privileged to co-lead an organization that is profoundly changing the lives of hundreds of Cambodia's most impoverished children. I strongly believe that CFI's approach of serving the 'whole child' with both well-being and education programs in a safe and nurturing environment is working. Over 225 children who were at high risk of forced labor and children trafficking are now back in school learning to read and write in their native Khmer as well as in English. They are learning computer skills, playing soccer and developing trusting relationships with both their peers and teachers. There is no question that many CFI students are developing into positive role models who will become professionals and future community leaders.